Microsoft Certifications

MCP, MCSA, MCSA: Security, MSCE, MCSE: Security, MCDBA, MCAD, MCSD, MCSD .NET, MCDST... No it's not alphabet soup. These are current certifications available from Microsoft. SQLSoft+ has almost 40,000 alumni, many of whom hold premiere Microsoft certifications. Shouldn't you?

Why You Should Become a Microsoft Certified Professional

Earning a Microsoft certification acknowledges your expertise in working with Microsoft products and technologies. The information technology (IT) industry, your employer, clients, and peers will recognize your MCP credential as a symbol of the skills and knowledge you've gained through experience. Microsoft certification shows that you are a technical leader with the ability to successfully implement Microsoft business solutions for your organization or client.

Why Your Employees Should Be Microsoft Certified Professionals

Microsoft products give businesses the agility, speed, and reliability they need to turn the accelerating pace of change into a competitive edge, to excel and succeed. Microsoft certification assures that businesses are able to identify experts who know how to use those powerful tools and solutions to the best of their advantage. In a 2001 survey of 225 technical and non-technical hiring managers representing companies in a variety of industries, 89 percent of respondents said they recommend Microsoft certification for candidates seeking an IT position at their company.

The New Generation of Microsoft Certifications

Technology Series: Microsoft Technology Specialists certifications train IT professionals in implementation, building, troubleshooting, and debugging of a specific Microsoft technology.
Professional Series: Professional credentials validate the skill set required for a particular job. There are two certifications in the professional series:

- Microsoft Certifications for IT Professionals
- Microsoft Certifications for Development Professionals.
Master Series: Master certifications identify individuals with the deepest technical skills available on a particular Microsoft product (previously Ranger).
Architect Series: The Certified Architect program makes it easy for companies to identify experienced IT architects who have completed a rigorous peer review process.

Microsoft Certification and SQLSoft+'s Schedule/Courses

Follow the links below to see the classes SQLSoft+ offers that will help you build your custom Microsoft Certification schedule. Simply click on a course title to see a course description, click on a date to register for class, or click on the glasses to add to your custom watch list.

Microsoft
Certification

Certification
Description

SQLSoft+
Schedule/Courses

MCTS

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications enable professionals to target specific technologies and to distinguish themselves by demonstrating in-depth knowledge and expertise in the various Microsoft specialized technologies.

•	New – Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Presentation Foundation Applications
•	New – Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Communication Foundation Applications
•	New – Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Workflow Foundation Applications
•	New – Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration
•	New – Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration
•	New – Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration
•	Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications
•	Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications
•	Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Distributed Applications
•	Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2005
•	Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence
•	Technology Specialist: BizTalk Server 2006
•	Technology Specialist: Enterprise Project Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007
•	Technology Specialist: Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007
•	Technology Specialist: Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005
•	Technology Specialist: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Configuration
•	Technology Specialist: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, Configuration
•	Technology Specialist: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, Application Development
•	Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007, Configuring
•	Technology Specialist: Windows Mobile 5.0, Applications - There are no Official Microsoft Learning Products currently available.
•	Technology Specialist: Windows Mobile 5.0, Implementing and Managing - There are no Official Microsoft Learning Products currently available.
•	Technology Specialist: Windows Server 2003 Hosted Environments, Configuration, and Management
•	Technology Specialist: Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Application Development - no classroom training available.
•	Technology Specialist: Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Configuration
•	Technology Specialist: Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops, Deploying and Maintaining
•	Technology Specialist: Windows Vista, Configuration

MCITP

The Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certifications demonstrate comprehensive skills in planning, deploying, supporting, maintaining, and optimizing IT infrastructures.

•	IT Professional: Business Intelligence Developer
•	IT Professional: Consumer Support Technician
•	IT Professional: Database Developer
•	IT Professional: Database Administrator
•	IT Professional: Enterprise Messaging Administrator
•	IT Professional: Enterprise Project Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007
•	IT Professional: Enterprise Support Technician
•	IT Professional: Enterprise Administrator
•	IT Professional: Server Administrator

MCPD

The Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) credentials distinguish you as an expert Windows Application Developer, Web Application Developer, or Enterprise Applications Developer. These credentials demonstrate that you can build rich applications that target a variety of platforms using Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0.

Upgrade paths from Visual Studio 2005 to Visual Studio 2008

Visual Studio 2005

MCPD - Enterprise Applications Developer

MCPD - Web Developer

MCPD - Windows Developer

Visual Studio 2008

•	MCPD: Windows Developer 3.5
•	MCPD: ASP.NET Developer 3.5
•	MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer 3.5

Microsoft Certified Architect Program

Microsoft Certified Architect Program targets practicing solutions architects and infrastructure architects who successfully apply frameworks and methodologies to create an architecture through the entire IT life cycle.

There are no specific classes per se -- to become a Microsoft Certified Architect, you must apply to meet the prerequisites:

•	Microsoft Certified Architect: Technology Programs
•	Microsoft Certified Architect: Infrastructure Program
•	Microsoft Certified Architect: Solutions Program

MCDST

Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technicians (MCDSTs) have the technical and customer service skills to troubleshoot hardware and software operation issues in Microsoft Windows environments.

Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician

MCLC

The Microsoft Certified Learning Consultant (MCLC) credential recognizes MCTs whose job roles have grown to include frequent consultative engagements with customers. These MCTs are experts in designing and delivering customized learning solutions.

No classes currently available to support this certification.

MCSA

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrators (MCSAs) administer network and systems environments based on the Microsoft Windows operating systems. Specializations include MCSA: Messaging and MCSA: Security.

MCSA on Windows Server 2003 classes

MCSA: Security on Windows Server 2003 classes

MCSA: Messaging on Windows Server 2003 classes

MCSE

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers (MCSEs) design and implement an infrastructure solution that is based on the Windows operating system and Microsoft Windows Server System software. Specializations include MCSE: Messaging and MCSE: Security.

MCSE on Windows Server 2003 classes

MCSE: Security on Windows Server 2003 classes

MCSE: Messaging on Windows Server 2003 classes

MCDBA

Microsoft Certified Database Administrators (MCDBAs) design, implement, and administer Microsoft SQL 2000 Server databases.

Database professionals who use Microsoft SQL Server 2005 should consider the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) credentials

MCT

Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCTs) are qualified instructors who are certified by Microsoft to deliver Microsoft training courses to IT professionals and developers.

MCITP - Business Intelligence Developer

MCITP - Database Administrator Developer

MCITP - Database Developer

MCAD

Microsoft Certified Application Developers (MCADs) use Microsoft technologies to develop and maintain department-level applications, components, Web or desktop clients, or back-end data services.

Developers who use the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 should consider the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) credentials. These credentials give developers a simpler and more targeted framework to highlight their technical and on-the-job skills.

MCSD

Microsoft Certified Solution Developers (MCSDs) design and develop leading-edge business solutions with Microsoft development tools, technologies, platforms, and the Microsoft Windows architecture.

Developers who use the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 should consider the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and/or Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) credentials.

Microsoft Office Specialist

Microsoft Office Specialists (Office Specialists) are globally recognized for demonstrating advanced skills with Microsoft desktop software.

No classes currently available to support this certification.